Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Rosa Zubizarreta via OSList]

Martina, I just read your post, on this long and interesting thread…



You wrote… "Well, even if that were true (which I don't think it is): would
it be a bad thing? I would rather have "conflict avoidance" than war. I
would rather have "conflict avoidance" than rips in a community."



What resonated for me about what you wrote, is that in the conflict
transformation workshops I offer, I often start with a participatory
activity where we fill in a polarity four-square… starting with, "the
benefits of avoiding conflict"… (of which there are many!)… then proceeding
to "the drawbacks of avoiding conflict"… then up to "the benefits of
engaging in conflict"… then, "the drawbacks of engaging in conflict".



I find it a deeply useful activity, for us to being by honoring all four
quadrants…



Another point of resonance for me, with your post (and others in this
thread) is the general undesirability of "too tight containers". In other
kinds of conflict transformation work I do (though I also appreciate and
practice OST) we also DO NOT "lock the doors"! J  Participants are free to
step out whenever they need to… and step back in as they wish.  I see this
as an essential aspect, not just of OST, but of other processes that work
with conflict, as well.



***



Michael, I particularly appreciated your post on the "prerequisites for
unfolding self-organization", and would like to learn more about those.



What it makes me think of, is the "prerequisites for addressing difficult
social challenges" that need to be in place, on a macro level… and the role
of non-violent activism for "encouraging" powerful institutions to "come to
the table"…. which I see as one form of the "creative disruption" that
Peggy writes about in her book on *Engaging Emergence*.



And so it seems to me, there may be another creative polarity here… while
completely respecting each person's freedom of choice, I think we also need
to respect our own agency, and the ability we have to create conditions
that in turn influence other people's choices. Not restrict, not constrain,
but influence…



Along those lines, I wrote a blog post

a while ago, about the interdependence of "emergent process" and "social
activism"...  how unlikely it is that* any* form of  "emergent process"
(whether OST or World Café or Deep Democracy or DF or...) is likely to
bring about large-scale social changes on its own, *without* the complement
of people's passion self-organized into activism… which can then set the
stage for various kinds of  "emergent process" to be successful.



**



Peggy, thank you so much for the awesome story!


As you well know, a story can offer multiple insights... what's jumping out
at me --in addition to the obvious usefulness of "Open Space for turning
conflict into opportunity", and, not knowing any more of the details than
what you shared in your story --


...is the value of those two *prior *years of conflict, which seem to have
led to NOAA's agreement  to fund a meeting to deal with it... and thus set
the context for that powerful one day of Open Space. This could be seen as
wonderful example of Anne's version of the "law of two feet", that you
shared with us in your post: "stand for what you care about".


For those who may be interested in the activism end of things (strategies
for creating a context, that makes it more likely that people will feel the
need to come together, and thus discover the opportunities in conflict...)
a few of my favorite resources are Engler and Engler's *This is an
Uprising: How Non-Violent Revolt is Shaping the Twenty-First Century*,
along with Bill Moyer's *Doing Democracy: The MAP Model for Organizing
Social Movements.*



To that short list, I've recently added the work of
scholar-practitioner-activist Dr. Véronique Dudouet. In a recent webinar
hosted by the International Center on Non-Violent Conflict, she explores
the intersection between "civil resistance", aka non-violent activism, and
"peacebuilding", a term that includes facilitation, mediation, negotiation,
etc. (From this perspective, OST would be a form of "peacebuilding.)



If you scroll down on the webinar page
,
you'll also find a link to her report. And, as you wrote in your post,
Peggy -- not specifically about Veronique's work, but I think it can be
applied here -- these are "yin and yang responses to conflict and we need
them both."


with all best wishes,


Rosa



*Rosa Zubizarreta*


*meet me at my DiaPraxis website  and on my Listening
Arts blog *
* *

On Wed, Jan 31, 2018 at 4:42 AM, Martina Roell (Structure & Process) via
OSList  wrote:

> Hey Daniel,
>
> Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:
> > I am hearing this 

Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict (a bit long)

[Harrison Owen via OSList]

Good tale Chris! I (vaguely) remember when it was all going down. And then of 
course there was the one about building roads on tribal lands. I tell it at the 
opening of The User’s Guide if you want the details – but basically we has 
several hundred Feds, State Government and 1st Nation people who had been 
charged with the expenditure of over a billion $$’s for roads on Tribal Lands. 
These folks had spent several years killing each other, and the money was just 
about to go back to the US Treasury. Two days of sizzling open space with 
conflict massively deep…  and in the closing circle I’ll never forget a Navaho 
Chief saying that he had never felt so listened to and respected. 6 weeks later 
the final allocation plan was signed and approved. Works. And for the record, I 
never intervened at any point. I’m sure that wasn’t about doctrine or process – 
just pure self preservation. But what I learned was there was no need.

 

Harrison

 

From: OSList [mailto:oslist-boun...@lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Chris 
Kloth via OSList
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2018 9:51 PM
To: oslist@lists.openspacetech.org; Harrison Owen
Cc: Chris Kloth
Subject: Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict (a bit long)

 

Harrison, et al. 

It's been a while since I checked in, but this thread brought back many fond 
memories of several OST events over the years, and one in particular.

It's been many years since I was contacted by a group that included multiple 
coalitions of mental health professionals, administrators, and policy makers 
from throughout Ohio. At the time, local urban and local rural leaders of 
county mental health boards were battling with each other and state mental 
health officials over what was described as inequitable, differential funding 
of urban and rural systems by the state. One of the local coalitions had an 
active lawsuit pending against the state over inequitable funding. At that 
point the lawsuit had been pending for several years.

However, the reason they contacted me was that the state legislature had 
initiated legislation on a particular policy that each of the three groups 
found problematic for different reasons. Several of them had experienced OST in 
other settings and thought it might be a way sort things out on the legislative 
issue.

During the planning process we spent quite a bit of time considering/testing 
potential questions to frame an inclusive invitation to a wide variety of 
people concerned about the issue. Several times during the planning process 
members of the planning group made it clear that they did not want to take on 
the other issues and that they expected me to "manage" that "problem." I kept 
saying that, whatever question we arrived at, I couldn't promise the other 
topics wouldn't come up if it was important to people at the event. I did say 
that I thought the organizing question they landed on seemed inclusive and that 
they would quite likely end up someplace that would help them advance their 
cause.

The day we were opening space, with about 100 people attending, the bulletin 
board filled up with all kinds of good stuff. As you might predict, most of the 
topics were on the legislation, but some of the topics were related to 
inequitable funding. A few of their planners continued to be frustrated and 
approached me. I advised that they each think about what they felt passionate 
about and were willing to accept responsibility for working on... and then vote 
with their feet. The first day people worked on what they cared about, with 
most focusing on the legislation. Some people stayed irritated, but those few 
working on inequitable funding seemed to be really listening to one another in 
their sessions. The next day work continued on the legislation, building on 
work from the day before. However, as the morning evolved I noticed and 
increasing amount of bee and butterfly activity, much more than I was used to 
seeing. I listened in on some of the conversations and the talk was about 
equitable funding (not inequitable funding). At the time I said the air was 
electric - but sizzles works. After lunch most of the participants attended one 
huge session that had been posted as funding related. In the next 90 minutes 
they came to common ground on an approach to addressing funding issues!

My take on the closing circle was that 4 themes emerged. One was that working 
together on the legislation reminded all of them what they all felt passion 
about - providing community based options for individuals and families 
experiencing the effects of mental illness. Another theme was how good they 
felt about working together again after so many years... they remembered the 
"good old days" that had brought them together so many years ago. Third, they 
realized that, for quite a while, there had been some people who had been ready 
to engage in dialogue about funding, but hadn't found a nontoxic space to do

Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict (a bit long)

[Chris Kloth via OSList]

f anything, to do about it. From my perspective, 
in a world characterized by diversity, complexity, chaos, implicate 
order, emergent order, the capacity for self-organization (and more), 
the good news is that healthy conflict can enrich our understanding of 
what, in the moment, we are experiencing, what we will make of that 
experience, and what, if anything, we will do about it.


OST leads to avoiding conflict? Not in my approximately 25 years of 
opening space... quite the opposite.


--
Shalom,

Chris Kloth
Principal/Lead Consultant
ChangeWorks of the Heartland
254 South Merkle Road
Columbus, OH 43209-1801
P - 1+ 614-239-1336
F - 1+ 614-237-2347
www.got2change.com

Think globally, act locally.


On 2/1/2018 2:58 PM, Harrison Owen via OSList wrote:


There is conflict, and then there is destructive conflict. I think 
they are two entirely different things. Conflict is an essential part 
of living, life, the total evolutionary process. Show me any 
organization that has no conflict and I’ll show you a dead one. 
Conflict occurs when two or more critical concerns (cares) but heads. 
Given sufficient room, they will find a way. Close that space and they 
will kill each other. My experience in Open Space has always been one 
of intense conflict combined with serious way finding. Parties who 
would ordinarily kill each other find common ground. And the air 
sizzles. Believe me, I’ve been there.


Harrison

Winter Address

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

301-365-2093

Summer Address

189 Beaucauire Ave

Camden, ME 04843

207 763-3261

Websites

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com

*From:*OSList [mailto:oslist-boun...@lists.openspacetech.org] *On 
Behalf Of *Harold Shinsato via OSList

*Sent:* Tuesday, January 30, 2018 5:25 PM
*To:* oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
*Cc:* Harold Shinsato
*Subject:* Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

Daniel,

Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well 
respected management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help 
but wonder the following:


- How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority 
figure forces them?
- How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve 
conflicts when they are forcibly held together by an imperial force 
(think Rome, USSR, pre-partition India, etc etc etc)


If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged 
individuals - especially those who have violated others rights are are 
in prison - I can imagine there being some value to some level of 
compulsion or coercion here. But even there, it may temporarily 
resolve the fighting and damage, but not the children's growth.


If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal 
scenarios, I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I 
can't imagine the tribal system will evolve to respect human rights 
without a huge additional investment from the gunboat diplomats. And 
it is all too likely that such interference may not only cause even 
bigger problems later on, but can also encourage exploitation of the 
less developed tribe/community.


Thanks for asking this question!

    Harold

On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:

I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST
actually encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In
other words, people who need to be resolving conflict (or at least
discussing it) can just avoid the touchy topic... and each other.

Could this actually be true? If not why not?

-- 
Daniel Mezick

Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
(203) 915 7248. Bio. <http://www.DanielMezick.com/> Blog.
<http://www.NewTechUSA.net/blog/> Twitter.
<https://twitter.com/DanielMezick>
Book: The Culture Game. <http://theculturegame.com/>
Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook.

<http://www.amazon.com/OpenSpace-Agility-Handbook-Daniel-Mezick/dp/0984875336>





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har...@shinsato.com <mailto:har...@shinsato.com>
http://shinsato.com
twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>



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Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Rolf F. Katzenberger via OSList]

A thought:

Whatever format you choose to host a "conversation that matters" (to
whom?): The Law of Two Feet always comes into play when you send out
your Call - people may choose to participate, or not to.

Once we start thinking that we can stay in control, e.g. by making
participation mandatory; or by choosing / designing a format disliked by
those who hear the Call; or simply by deciding that two people "should
finally start talking to each other": we've already fallen prey to an
illusion.

So, the Law of Two Feet always applies, because it is a law that applies
a long time before the event even started.

Cheers,
Rolf

-- 
«If it works, it's right.» | «Richtig ist, was funktioniert.»
https://www.pragmatic-teams.com | https://www.pragmatic-teams.de
https://fromthebackoftheroom.training | https://fromthebackoftheroom.training/de

Daniel Mezick via OSList schrieb am 30.01.2018 um 22:07:
>
> I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST
> actually encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In other
> words, people who need to be resolving conflict (or at least
> discussing it) can just avoid the touchy topic... and each other.
>
> Could this actually be true? If not why not?
>
>
> -- 
> Daniel Mezick
> Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
> (203) 915 7248. Bio.  Blog.
>  Twitter.
> 
> Book: The Culture Game. 
> Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook.
> 
>
>
>
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
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Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Bhavesh Patel via OSList]

I am sure it does... I am sure it encourages each one of us to be free to
take responsibility for whatever we feel passionate about, or not...



On 30 January 2018 at 23:07, Daniel Mezick via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST actually
> encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In other words, people
> who need to be resolving conflict (or at least discussing it) can just
> avoid the touchy topic... and each other.
>
> Could this actually be true? If not why not?
>
> --
> Daniel Mezick
> Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
> (203) 915 7248. Bio.  Blog.
>  Twitter.
> 
> Book: The Culture Game. 
> Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook.
> 
>
> ___
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
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> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
>
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Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[R Chaffe via OSList]

Air Sizzles  these moments are so precious as possibilities become 
realities. 

Regards
Robert

> On 2 Feb 2018, at 11:06 am, Michael Herman via OSList 
> <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
> 
> "And the air sizzles."  
> 
> That may be one of my favorite lines in ALL of what's been posted to this 
> list!  
> 
>  
> --
> 
> Michael Herman
> Michael Herman Associates
> 312-280-7838 (mobile)
> 
> http://MichaelHerman.com
> http://OpenSpaceWorld.org
> 
> 
> 
>> On Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 1:58 PM, Harrison Owen via OSList 
>> <oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>> There is conflict, and then there is destructive conflict. I think they are 
>> two entirely different things. Conflict is an essential part of living, 
>> life, the total evolutionary process. Show me any organization that has no 
>> conflict and I’ll show you a dead one. Conflict occurs when two or more 
>> critical concerns (cares) but heads. Given sufficient room, they will find a 
>> way. Close that space and they will kill each other. My experience in Open 
>> Space has always been one of intense conflict combined with serious way 
>> finding. Parties who would ordinarily kill each other find common ground. 
>> And the air sizzles. Believe me, I’ve been there.
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Harrison
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Winter Address
>> 
>> 7808 River Falls Dr.
>> 
>> Potomac, MD 20854
>> 
>> 301-365-2093
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Summer Address
>> 
>> 189 Beaucauire Ave
>> 
>> Camden, ME 04843
>> 
>> 207 763-3261
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Websites
>> 
>> www.openspaceworld.com
>> 
>> www.ho-image.com
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> From: OSList [mailto:oslist-boun...@lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of 
>> Harold Shinsato via OSList
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 5:25 PM
>> To: oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
>> Cc: Harold Shinsato
>> Subject: Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Daniel,
>> 
>> Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well respected 
>> management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help but wonder the 
>> following:
>> 
>> - How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority figure 
>> forces them?
>> - How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve conflicts 
>> when they are forcibly held together by an imperial force (think Rome, USSR, 
>> pre-partition India, etc etc etc)
>> 
>> If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged individuals - 
>> especially those who have violated others rights are are in prison - I can 
>> imagine there being some value to some level of compulsion or coercion here. 
>> But even there, it may temporarily resolve the fighting and damage, but not 
>> the children's growth.
>> 
>> If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal 
>> scenarios, I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I can't 
>> imagine the tribal system will evolve to respect human rights without a huge 
>> additional investment from the gunboat diplomats. And it is all too likely 
>> that such interference may not only cause even bigger problems later on, but 
>> can also encourage exploitation of the less developed tribe/community.
>> 
>> Thanks for asking this question!
>> 
>> Harold
>> 
>> 
>> On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:
>> 
>> I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST actually 
>> encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In other words, people 
>> who need to be resolving conflict (or at least discussing it) can just avoid 
>> the touchy topic... and each other. 
>> 
>> Could this actually be true? If not why not?
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> -- 
>> Daniel Mezick
>> Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
>> (203) 915 7248. Bio. Blog. Twitter. 
>> Book: The Culture Game. 
>> Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ___
>> OSList mailing list
>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>> Past archives can be viewed here: 
>> ht

Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Michael Herman via OSList]

"And the air sizzles."

That may be one of my favorite lines in ALL of what's been posted to this
list!


--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
312-280-7838 (mobile)

http://MichaelHerman.com
http://OpenSpaceWorld.org



On Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 1:58 PM, Harrison Owen via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> There is conflict, and then there is destructive conflict. I think they
> are two entirely different things. Conflict is an essential part of living,
> life, the total evolutionary process. Show me any organization that has no
> conflict and I’ll show you a dead one. Conflict occurs when two or more
> critical concerns (cares) but heads. Given sufficient room, they will find
> a way. Close that space and they will kill each other. My experience in
> Open Space has always been one of intense conflict combined with serious
> way finding. Parties who would ordinarily kill each other find common
> ground. And the air sizzles. Believe me, I’ve been there.
>
>
>
> Harrison
>
>
>
> Winter Address
>
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
>
> Potomac, MD 20854
>
> 301-365-2093 <(301)%20365-2093>
>
>
>
> Summer Address
>
> 189 Beaucauire Ave
>
> Camden, ME 04843
>
> 207 763-3261 <(207)%20763-3261>
>
>
>
> Websites
>
> www.openspaceworld.com
>
> www.ho-image.com
>
>
>
> *From:* OSList [mailto:oslist-boun...@lists.openspacetech.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Harold Shinsato via OSList
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 30, 2018 5:25 PM
> *To:* oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
> *Cc:* Harold Shinsato
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict
>
>
>
> Daniel,
>
> Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well respected
> management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help but wonder the
> following:
>
> - How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority figure
> forces them?
> - How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve conflicts
> when they are forcibly held together by an imperial force (think Rome,
> USSR, pre-partition India, etc etc etc)
>
> If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged individuals
> - especially those who have violated others rights are are in prison - I
> can imagine there being some value to some level of compulsion or coercion
> here. But even there, it may temporarily resolve the fighting and damage,
> but not the children's growth.
>
> If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal
> scenarios, I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I can't
> imagine the tribal system will evolve to respect human rights without a
> huge additional investment from the gunboat diplomats. And it is all too
> likely that such interference may not only cause even bigger problems later
> on, but can also encourage exploitation of the less developed
> tribe/community.
>
> Thanks for asking this question!
>
> Harold
>
> On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:
>
> I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST actually
> encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In other words, people
> who need to be resolving conflict (or at least discussing it) can just
> avoid the touchy topic... and each other.
>
> Could this actually be true? If not why not?
>
>
>
> --
> Daniel Mezick
> Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
> (203) 915 7248 <(203)%20915-7248>. Bio. <http://www.DanielMezick.com/>
> Blog. <http://www.NewTechUSA.net/blog/> Twitter.
> <https://twitter.com/DanielMezick>
> Book: The Culture Game. <http://theculturegame.com/>
> Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook.
> <http://www.amazon.com/OpenSpace-Agility-Handbook-Daniel-Mezick/dp/0984875336>
>
>
>
>
> ___
>
> OSList mailing list
>
> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org
>
> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
>
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
>
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>
> Past archives can be viewed here: 
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
>
>
>
> --
> Harold Shinsato
> har...@shinsato.com
> http://shinsato.com
> twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
>
> ___
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Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Harrison Owen via OSList]

There is conflict, and then there is destructive conflict. I think they are two 
entirely different things. Conflict is an essential part of living, life, the 
total evolutionary process. Show me any organization that has no conflict and 
I’ll show you a dead one. Conflict occurs when two or more critical concerns 
(cares) but heads. Given sufficient room, they will find a way. Close that 
space and they will kill each other. My experience in Open Space has always 
been one of intense conflict combined with serious way finding. Parties who 
would ordinarily kill each other find common ground. And the air sizzles. 
Believe me, I’ve been there.

 

Harrison

 

Winter Address

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

301-365-2093

 

Summer Address

189 Beaucauire Ave

Camden, ME 04843

207 763-3261

 

Websites

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com

 

From: OSList [mailto:oslist-boun...@lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of 
Harold Shinsato via OSList
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 5:25 PM
To: oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
Cc: Harold Shinsato
Subject: Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

 

Daniel,

Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well respected 
management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help but wonder the 
following:

- How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority figure 
forces them?
- How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve conflicts when 
they are forcibly held together by an imperial force (think Rome, USSR, 
pre-partition India, etc etc etc)

If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged individuals - 
especially those who have violated others rights are are in prison - I can 
imagine there being some value to some level of compulsion or coercion here. 
But even there, it may temporarily resolve the fighting and damage, but not the 
children's growth.

If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal scenarios, 
I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I can't imagine the 
tribal system will evolve to respect human rights without a huge additional 
investment from the gunboat diplomats. And it is all too likely that such 
interference may not only cause even bigger problems later on, but can also 
encourage exploitation of the less developed tribe/community.

Thanks for asking this question!

Harold



On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:

I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST actually 
encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In other words, people who 
need to be resolving conflict (or at least discussing it) can just avoid the 
touchy topic... and each other. 

Could this actually be true? If not why not? 

 

-- 
Daniel Mezick
Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
(203) 915 7248. Bio. <http://www.DanielMezick.com/>  Blog. 
<http://www.NewTechUSA.net/blog/>  Twitter. <https://twitter.com/DanielMezick>  
Book: The Culture Game. <http://theculturegame.com/>  
Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook. 
<http://www.amazon.com/OpenSpace-Agility-Handbook-Daniel-Mezick/dp/0984875336>  






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Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Michael M Pannwitz via OSList]

Dear Chris,

in your note from 31.01.2018 at 00:44 you wrote, referring to something 
a Guru said:
"He believes that it’s useful for certain things in certain contexts and 
not in others. On that we all agree, I would think."

Well, I neither agree or disagree. So its one person less than "we all".

Very simply put, I have seen all kinds of stuff that comes out of Open 
Space gatherings. Some stuff comes actually before the event (getting 
ready and planning for the event) some during the event, some closely 
following the event, some from other places, some years later, etc. When 
that is noticed, it can be understood as useful for "certain things".


It gets even more simple if one works under the assumption that in Open 
Space events time and space expand for the unfolding of the Force of 
Selforganization. Looking at it that way, it does not matter what stuff 
is at issue or what outcomes or impacts folks have in mind.
All that is needed is to check whether the known prerequisites for the 
unfolding of the Forces of Selfforganisation are in place. Checking on 
them will not tell you whether it is suitable for this or that purpose, 
simply only if it will... see above.


For instance, as facilitator I have often been involved in schools. In 
one situation the teachers invited me to  help them with an effort to 
improve "Living and Learning in Our School". They felt that having all 
the teachers get together for a couple of days (in this school teachers 
can gather for projects for two days per year) would be a grand way of 
moving this topic. Ok, teachers are a part of schools. Having just 
teachers would not address the prerquisite of "diversity".
Another prerequisite they found difficult was "voluntay participation" 
since all teachers had to participate. And so on. We never talked about 
their main topic, just the prerquisites. Ways were found to expand 
diversity (they actually found it exhilariting to invite everyone that 
was in any way involved with their school: students, parents, 
ex-prinicipals, neighbors, people from schools they cooperated with, 
business-folks from places where students did their internships, the 
school secretary, the folks from the cafeteria, counsellors, janitors, 
volunteers... it was vast).
And they found a solution for the teachers that insited that they had to 
attend regardless of whether they wanted to or not (they were offered 
activities/tasks in the school while the event took place... and, 
surprise, they all participated in the OST event).
Ok, paying close attention to the PREREQUISITES being in place -  NOT 
for creativity, play, efficiency, innovation, conflict resolution, 
peace, fun, extraorinary performance, chaos, problem solving, heaven on 
earth, order... etc (all stuff that are typical for OST events) - so 
that the Force of Selforganisation could show up and do its thing is the 
task.


Approaching it that way I never had to wonder about how this or that or 
something else can be achieved with the Open Space approach.


I wonder why this secret is not out in the light of day. What keeps us 
from focusing on the prerequisites? Everyone of us can do it in their 
daily work as facilitator of the way we have tested a zillion times. It 
can be done without ever mentioning the Force (it will not be insulted, 
in fact I feel it does not give a ...) or mentioning OST (HO will not be 
insulted, either... he is probably wondering "Why do you guys work so 
hard?)


Greetings from Berlin
mmp

Am 31.01.2018 um 00:44 schrieb Chris Corrigan via OSList:
He believes that it’s useful for certain things in certain contexts and 
not in others. On that we all agree, I would think.




--
Michael M Pannwitz
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
++49 - 30-772 8000
mmpannw...@gmail.com


Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 455 resident Open 
Space Workers in 75 countries working in a total of 144 countries worldwide

www.openspaceworldmap.org

Here you find books and task cards on open space, most in German, some 
in English, some as ebooks, some multilingual

https://www.westkreuz-verlag.de/de/Kommunikation
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Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[R Chaffe via OSList]

Thank you Michael

The theme so far has avoided the key issue being the fact we are part of a self 
regulating system in what we have chosen to call open space.   At the same time 
we seemed to be focused on the event called open space rather than the 
environment of our business.   An open space event occurs when the participants 
choose to come, remember the drums,  we as individuals have choice to be part 
of or not of the meeting.If the group is ready to discuss the topic/stated 
reason for the group to get together, they will find a way.

I led the facilitation of a group of industry representatives who had been 
invited to come together to explore the issues and opportunities surrounding 
the next round of research funding with in excess of $14 million up for grabs.  
 The investor asked that we try a different way as past meetings had become 
quite reductionist and focused on predictable themes that encouraged 
reinforcing existing programs and reduced the opportunity of new alliances and 
synergies that may extend the effectiveness of the allocated funds.

Things went well for about two hours and predictably some resisted choice and 
were uncomfortable with the Open Process.  One very powerful leader of one 
section of the industry choose to take charge and “unload” on the whole event.  
 “What ever happens...”. I let him finish as he finally unloaded on the team 
member who was closest at the time.  The co-facilitator held her ground and 
also paused.  Sure enough one of the other participators stood up and in effect 
told the interjector that he had had his say and suggested that he sit down 
just get on with the job at hand.  Applause.  The interjector resumed his seat 
and did as suggested.  Yes there was conflict.  Yes the underlying conflict was 
not resolved.  Yes the sponsor was very impressed and when asked he assured us 
he had got want he wanted.  There was no revolutionary change but change had 
begun.  For the interjector, differences were not resolved and he had a choice 
to change without judgement.  10 years later things have changed dramatically, 
some of the issues and opportunities became realities and the investor and 
those who used the opportunity to explore these on the Day were ready for the 
changes.  The changes involved massive financial changes with over 80% of the 
industry put out of business.

Remember when the opportunity is provided to Open Space the community involved 
will self regulate to sustain a dynamic balance.   The facilitators task is to 
allow this to take place by sustaining the space. Rev Ray Richmond from the 
Wayside Chapel in Sydney said the hardest part of his job in keeping the first 
safe injecting house in Australia open was to treat everyone exactly the same 
while restricting intervention to that that ensured that no harm was done to 
self and others.   He managed to sustain a living open space where conflict 
just did not happen, differences were always common place.  

Open Space is not the soft option when conflict is possible, it is an option 
that brings with it responsibilities and opportunities that often ensures that 
conflicts dissolve into differences that further dissolve in to synergism to 
solutions that are owned by all.   I am sure there are many stories out there 
that confirm “Open Space” is an option that helps to deal with conflict and as 
always it may not be the best option for you and your current situation. 

If I choose to be somewhere else it just means I need to be somewhere else and 
the law of two feet, or in my case the law of mobility, ensures this choice is 
always open to me

Regards
Robert

> On 31 Jan 2018, at 8:42 pm, Martina Roell (Structure & Process) via OSList 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hey Daniel,
> 
> Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:
>> I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST
>> actually encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. 
> 
> Well, even if that were true (which I don't think it is): would it be a
> bad thing? I would rather have "conflict avoidance" than war. I would
> rather have "conflict avoidance" than rips in a community.
> 
>> In other
>> words, people who need to be resolving conflict (or at least discussing
>> it) can just avoid the touchy topic... and each other.
> 
> I wonder who "people who need to be resolving conflict" are. When I hear
> that rhetoric, I think it tells me more about the speaker than about the
> "people" they are speaking about: The speaker seems to have some idea
> about "the people" who "need" to do something: "they (!) should (!) be
> resolving conflict!" "They (!) should (!) not be avoiding (this and that)".
> 
> It's the position of a "leader" who thinks they know better than "the
> people".
> 
> To them, I say: well go ahead and make an invitation for people to step
> into a tight container and "resolve conflict" or "go into conflict" or
> whatever you think is needed. See if anyone shows up.
> Or, if 

Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Martina Roell (Structure & Process) via OSList]

Hey Daniel,

Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:
> I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST
> actually encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. 

Well, even if that were true (which I don't think it is): would it be a
bad thing? I would rather have "conflict avoidance" than war. I would
rather have "conflict avoidance" than rips in a community.

> In other
> words, people who need to be resolving conflict (or at least discussing
> it) can just avoid the touchy topic... and each other.

I wonder who "people who need to be resolving conflict" are. When I hear
that rhetoric, I think it tells me more about the speaker than about the
"people" they are speaking about: The speaker seems to have some idea
about "the people" who "need" to do something: "they (!) should (!) be
resolving conflict!" "They (!) should (!) not be avoiding (this and that)".

It's the position of a "leader" who thinks they know better than "the
people".

To them, I say: well go ahead and make an invitation for people to step
into a tight container and "resolve conflict" or "go into conflict" or
whatever you think is needed. See if anyone shows up.
Or, if you feel yourself empowered to do so: "force" the people to "do"
whatever you think "they should" do. See what happens. But why continue
to whine about Open Space?

Love,

Martina

-- 
Structure & Process | http://structureprocess.com | @strucproc
Martina Röll | GSM: +49 178 4984743
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Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Barry Owen via OSList]

Love this

*Barry Owen*
*Real Estate Strategist*
CEO/Principal Broker
*Pareto Realty, LLC *\pə-ˈrā-(ˌ)tō\

*The Vital Few*
4012 Hillsboro Pike #5
Nashville, TN 37215
Office: 615-502-2080
Connect: *615-568-2123*
*BarryOwensBlog.com *

*Inviter - Facilitator/Practicer of Open Space Technology*
Opening & Holding safe space for people and organizations to self-organize
around important issues and opportunities.
*Invite - Listen - Love*

*Pareto Realty is a residential real estate sales firm that supports member
agents in building and growing consistently productive niche businesses as
they enjoy the healthy life rhythm they want and deserve.*

On Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 8:20 PM, Jeff Aitken via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> A favorite quote from Chris C when researching my dissertation was his
> description of regular folks being like 'Taoist masters' working with
> conflict in open space.
>
> They engage awhile, things heat up, they may cool off by going to the
> coffee table awhile and talking hockey (in Canada), then back into the
> fray. Fun and potent image of the Law in interaction.
>
> Jeff
> San Francisco
>
> On Jan 30, 2018 4:46 PM, "Michael Herman via OSList" <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
>> I think I disagree with Dave on this. I only know his position from
>> what's been reported here, but I have met and listened to him speak. He
>> strikes me as quite a bit better than most at carving boundaries for
>> himself and that, I think, might color his experience of the encouragements
>> OS does give to resolve rather than avoid conflict.
>>
>> We've noticed many times before that OS implies a higher level of
>> exposure for people than other ways of working. We've also noticed the deep
>> connections between groups, i.e. "They're all talking about the same
>> stuff," (in all the different breakouts). And when we go around the circle,
>> everyone hears and speaks to everyone. there's a high level of authenticity
>> that invites people to join and match.
>>
>> In other words, where there are real conflicts, I think OS makes it
>> pretty hard to hide from them, even as it gives lots of room and options
>> for navigating them. If the purpose doesn't require they be settled, then
>> the work can proceed. If it does require resolution, the exposure and
>> connection and purpose will push for that.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 18:14 Harold Shinsato via OSList <
>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Chris,
>>>
>>> Thanks for giving more detail about Snowden's thinking. I didn't want to
>>> mention his name without a fuller context as you have provided. I also
>>> disagree with his assessment of OST as a convergence tool. I've not seen
>>> happiness come from trying to squeeze convergence out of an OST event.
>>>
>>> I can't critique Snowden's disagreement with OST as an all purpose
>>> 'tool', though for me I have found great value in Harrison's wisdom about
>>> Open Space as not being a tool. I see Open Space as something I feel I
>>> experience in most Open Space Technology events, but they're not really the
>>> same thing. Given that distinction, "Open some space" does seem a valid all
>>> purpose approach. Even if that doesn't necessarily look like a formal Open
>>> Space Technology event.
>>>
>>>
>>> Harold
>>>
>>>
>>> On 1/30/18 4:44 PM, Chris Corrigan wrote:
>>>
>>> The well known management guru is David Snowden and his principle
>>> criticism against OST is the same as it is for every other method. It is
>>> not a panacea for every problem.
>>>
>>> More specifically, Dave’s issue as I understand it, is that groups
>>> operate within constraints. There are times when those constraints need to
>>> be tightly bound in order for things to happen and other times when they
>>> need to be relaxed.
>>>
>>> In situations in which you are developing new things conflict and
>>> diversity are helpful. Sometimes it helps to have a process in which people
>>> of differing perspectives are engaged in a tight container together to make
>>> something better. Open Space does not always do this, so if you need a
>>> required level of diversity (and conflict doesn’t always mean a fight) then
>>> OST might not be the best way to do it.
>>>
>>> I agree with this. Sometimes you need a formal negotiation structure to
>>> reach a decision. Sometimes you need expert opinions engaged in a
>>> deliberated and structured and way to do due diligence.
>>>
>>> Dave has other concerns with Open Space that I think he’s wrong about
>>> (that it is a convergence process for example) and I’ve talked with him
>>> extensively about that. But anyone who think that Dave believes Open Space
>>> doesn’t have utility is also wrong. He believes that it’s useful for
>>> 

Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Michael Herman via OSList]

I think I disagree with Dave on this. I only know his position from what's
been reported here, but I have met and listened to him speak. He strikes me
as quite a bit better than most at carving boundaries for himself and that,
I think, might color his experience of the encouragements OS does give to
resolve rather than avoid conflict.

We've noticed many times before that OS implies a higher level of exposure
for people than other ways of working. We've also noticed the deep
connections between groups, i.e. "They're all talking about the same
stuff," (in all the different breakouts). And when we go around the circle,
everyone hears and speaks to everyone. there's a high level of authenticity
that invites people to join and match.

In other words, where there are real conflicts, I think OS makes it pretty
hard to hide from them, even as it gives lots of room and options for
navigating them. If the purpose doesn't require they be settled, then the
work can proceed. If it does require resolution, the exposure and
connection and purpose will push for that.





On Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 18:14 Harold Shinsato via OSList <
oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> Hi Chris,
>
> Thanks for giving more detail about Snowden's thinking. I didn't want to
> mention his name without a fuller context as you have provided. I also
> disagree with his assessment of OST as a convergence tool. I've not seen
> happiness come from trying to squeeze convergence out of an OST event.
>
> I can't critique Snowden's disagreement with OST as an all purpose 'tool',
> though for me I have found great value in Harrison's wisdom about Open
> Space as not being a tool. I see Open Space as something I feel I
> experience in most Open Space Technology events, but they're not really the
> same thing. Given that distinction, "Open some space" does seem a valid all
> purpose approach. Even if that doesn't necessarily look like a formal Open
> Space Technology event.
>
>
> Harold
>
>
> On 1/30/18 4:44 PM, Chris Corrigan wrote:
>
> The well known management guru is David Snowden and his principle
> criticism against OST is the same as it is for every other method. It is
> not a panacea for every problem.
>
> More specifically, Dave’s issue as I understand it, is that groups operate
> within constraints. There are times when those constraints need to be
> tightly bound in order for things to happen and other times when they need
> to be relaxed.
>
> In situations in which you are developing new things conflict and
> diversity are helpful. Sometimes it helps to have a process in which people
> of differing perspectives are engaged in a tight container together to make
> something better. Open Space does not always do this, so if you need a
> required level of diversity (and conflict doesn’t always mean a fight) then
> OST might not be the best way to do it.
>
> I agree with this. Sometimes you need a formal negotiation structure to
> reach a decision. Sometimes you need expert opinions engaged in a
> deliberated and structured and way to do due diligence.
>
> Dave has other concerns with Open Space that I think he’s wrong about
> (that it is a convergence process for example) and I’ve talked with him
> extensively about that. But anyone who think that Dave believes Open Space
> doesn’t have utility is also wrong. He believes that it’s useful for
> certain things in certain contexts and not in others. On that we all agree,
> I would think.
>
> Chris.
>
> _
> CHRIS CORRIGAN
> www.chriscorrigan.com
>
> On Jan 30, 2018, at 2:24 PM, Harold Shinsato via OSList <
> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
> Daniel,
>
> Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well respected
> management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help but wonder the
> following:
>
> - How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority figure
> forces them?
> - How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve conflicts
> when they are forcibly held together by an imperial force (think Rome,
> USSR, pre-partition India, etc etc etc)
>
> If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged individuals
> - especially those who have violated others rights are are in prison - I
> can imagine there being some value to some level of compulsion or coercion
> here. But even there, it may temporarily resolve the fighting and damage,
> but not the children's growth.
>
> If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal
> scenarios, I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I can't
> imagine the tribal system will evolve to respect human rights without a
> huge additional investment from the gunboat diplomats. And it is all too
> likely that such interference may not only cause even bigger problems later
> on, but can also encourage exploitation of the less developed
> tribe/community.
>
> Thanks for asking this question!
>
> Harold
>
>
> On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via 

Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Harold Shinsato via OSList]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for giving more detail about Snowden's thinking. I didn't want to 
mention his name without a fuller context as you have provided. I also 
disagree with his assessment of OST as a convergence tool. I've not seen 
happiness come from trying to squeeze convergence out of an OST event.


I can't critique Snowden's disagreement with OST as an all purpose 
'tool', though for me I have found great value in Harrison's wisdom 
about Open Space as not being a tool. I see Open Space as something I 
feel I experience in most Open Space Technology events, but they're not 
really the same thing. Given that distinction, "Open some space" does 
seem a valid all purpose approach. Even if that doesn't necessarily look 
like a formal Open Space Technology event.


    Harold

On 1/30/18 4:44 PM, Chris Corrigan wrote:
The well known management guru is David Snowden and his principle 
criticism against OST is the same as it is for every other method. It 
is not a panacea for every problem.


More specifically, Dave’s issue as I understand it, is that groups 
operate within constraints. There are times when those constraints 
need to be tightly bound in order for things to happen and other times 
when they need to be relaxed.


In situations in which you are developing new things conflict and 
diversity are helpful. Sometimes it helps to have a process in which 
people of differing perspectives are engaged in a tight container 
together to make something better. Open Space does not always do this, 
so if you need a required level of diversity (and conflict doesn’t 
always mean a fight) then OST might not be the best way to do it.


I agree with this. Sometimes you need a formal negotiation structure 
to reach a decision. Sometimes you need expert opinions engaged in a 
deliberated and structured and way to do due diligence.


Dave has other concerns with Open Space that I think he’s wrong about 
(that it is a convergence process for example) and I’ve talked with 
him extensively about that. But anyone who think that Dave believes 
Open Space doesn’t have utility is also wrong. He believes that it’s 
useful for certain things in certain contexts and not in others. On 
that we all agree, I would think.


Chris.

_
CHRIS CORRIGAN
www.chriscorrigan.com 

On Jan 30, 2018, at 2:24 PM, Harold Shinsato via OSList 
> wrote:



Daniel,

Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well 
respected management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help 
but wonder the following:


- How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority 
figure forces them?
- How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve 
conflicts when they are forcibly held together by an imperial force 
(think Rome, USSR, pre-partition India, etc etc etc)


If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged 
individuals - especially those who have violated others rights are 
are in prison - I can imagine there being some value to some level of 
compulsion or coercion here. But even there, it may temporarily 
resolve the fighting and damage, but not the children's growth.


If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal 
scenarios, I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I 
can't imagine the tribal system will evolve to respect human rights 
without a huge additional investment from the gunboat diplomats. And 
it is all too likely that such interference may not only cause even 
bigger problems later on, but can also encourage exploitation of the 
less developed tribe/community.


Thanks for asking this question!

    Harold


On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:


I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST 
actually encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In 
other words, people who need to be resolving conflict (or at least 
discussing it) can just avoid the touchy topic... and each other.


Could this actually be true? If not why not?


--
Daniel Mezick
Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
(203) 915 7248. Bio.  Blog. 
 Twitter. 


Book: The Culture Game. 
Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook. 
 




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--
Harold Shinsato
har...@shinsato.com 
http://shinsato.com
twitter: 

Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Chris Altmikus @ iDeA-Link via OSList]

Mmmh, in my experience this is neither a question of format nor one of the law of the two feet. Let me develop on the latter first: The law of the two feet tells us to do what we can to best contribute from inside ourselves. In my eyes this completely embraces dealing with diversity, difference, different perspectives, disagreement, tension as well as open or covert conflict.When it comes to the format, OST is building on our intrinsic motivation and passion. When we share a meaningful question that brings us together in OST and we are participating from deeply inside ourselves, then OST can actually be a highly conducive format to dealing with conflict. This being said, there are certainly other formats that can also be very powerful when it comes to dealing with conflict, such as Circle Way and others.In my mind this question is more related to a social/societal judgement of conflict as being detrimental and a leaning for some to actively « avoid » conflict (conflict as a meme) . And if conflict could actually be healthy, depending on how we deal with it, when it manifests ? Catalytic, catharisic ? If it was inviting and mobilizing us to deal with tough questions and issues ? If it was energizing us to drive authenticity, openness, transparency and clarification ?
Chris

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Le 31 janv. 2018 à 00:44, Chris Corrigan via OSList  a écrit :The well known management guru is David Snowden and his principle criticism against OST is the same as it is for every other method. It is not a panacea for every problem. More specifically, Dave’s issue as I understand it, is that groups operate within constraints. There are times when those constraints need to be tightly bound in order for things to happen and other times when they need to be relaxed. In situations in which you are developing new things conflict and diversity are helpful. Sometimes it helps to have a process in which people of differing perspectives are engaged in a tight container together to make something better. Open Space does not always do this, so if you need a required level of diversity (and conflict doesn’t always mean a fight) then OST might not be the best way to do it. I agree with this. Sometimes you need a formal negotiation structure to reach a decision. Sometimes you need expert opinions engaged in a deliberated and structured and way to do due diligence. Dave has other concerns with Open Space that I think he’s wrong about (that it is a convergence process for example) and I’ve talked with him extensively about that. But anyone who think that Dave believes Open Space doesn’t have utility is also wrong. He believes that it’s useful for certain things in certain contexts and not in others. On that we all agree, I would think. Chris. _CHRIS CORRIGANwww.chriscorrigan.comOn Jan 30, 2018, at 2:24 PM, Harold Shinsato via OSList  wrote:
  

  
  
Daniel,

Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well
respected management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help
but wonder the following:

- How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority
figure forces them?
- How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve
conflicts when they are forcibly held together by an imperial force
(think Rome, USSR, pre-partition India, etc etc etc)

If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged
individuals - especially those who have violated others rights are
are in prison - I can imagine there being some value to some level
of compulsion or coercion here. But even there, it may temporarily
resolve the fighting and damage, but not the children's growth.

If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal
scenarios, I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I
can't imagine the tribal system will evolve to respect human rights
without a huge additional investment from the gunboat diplomats. And
it is all too likely that such interference may not only cause even
bigger problems later on, but can also encourage exploitation of the
less developed tribe/community.

Thanks for asking this question!

    Harold


On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via
  OSList wrote:


  I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That
OST actually encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2
Feet. In other words, people who need to be resolving conflict
(or at least discussing it) can just avoid the touchy topic...
and each other. 

Could this actually be true? If not why not? 
   

Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Chris Corrigan via OSList]

The well known management guru is David Snowden and his principle criticism 
against OST is the same as it is for every other method. It is not a panacea 
for every problem. 

More specifically, Dave’s issue as I understand it, is that groups operate 
within constraints. There are times when those constraints need to be tightly 
bound in order for things to happen and other times when they need to be 
relaxed. 

In situations in which you are developing new things conflict and diversity are 
helpful. Sometimes it helps to have a process in which people of differing 
perspectives are engaged in a tight container together to make something 
better. Open Space does not always do this, so if you need a required level of 
diversity (and conflict doesn’t always mean a fight) then OST might not be the 
best way to do it. 

I agree with this. Sometimes you need a formal negotiation structure to reach a 
decision. Sometimes you need expert opinions engaged in a deliberated and 
structured and way to do due diligence. 

Dave has other concerns with Open Space that I think he’s wrong about (that it 
is a convergence process for example) and I’ve talked with him extensively 
about that. But anyone who think that Dave believes Open Space doesn’t have 
utility is also wrong. He believes that it’s useful for certain things in 
certain contexts and not in others. On that we all agree, I would think. 

Chris. 

_
CHRIS CORRIGAN
www.chriscorrigan.com

> On Jan 30, 2018, at 2:24 PM, Harold Shinsato via OSList 
>  wrote:
> 
> Daniel,
> 
> Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well 
> respected management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help but 
> wonder the following:
> 
> - How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority figure 
> forces them?
> - How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve conflicts 
> when they are forcibly held together by an imperial force (think Rome, USSR, 
> pre-partition India, etc etc etc)
> 
> If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged individuals - 
> especially those who have violated others rights are are in prison - I can 
> imagine there being some value to some level of compulsion or coercion here. 
> But even there, it may temporarily resolve the fighting and damage, but not 
> the children's growth.
> 
> If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal 
> scenarios, I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I can't 
> imagine the tribal system will evolve to respect human rights without a huge 
> additional investment from the gunboat diplomats. And it is all too likely 
> that such interference may not only cause even bigger problems later on, but 
> can also encourage exploitation of the less developed tribe/community.
> 
> Thanks for asking this question!
> 
> Harold
> 
> 
>> On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:
>> I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST actually 
>> encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In other words, people 
>> who need to be resolving conflict (or at least discussing it) can just avoid 
>> the touchy topic... and each other. 
>> 
>> Could this actually be true? If not why not? 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Daniel Mezick
>> Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
>> (203) 915 7248. Bio. Blog. Twitter. 
>> Book: The Culture Game. 
>> Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook. 
>> 
>> 
>> ___
>> OSList mailing list
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>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org
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>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>> Past archives can be viewed here: 
>> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
> 
> -- 
> Harold Shinsato
> har...@shinsato.com
> http://shinsato.com
> twitter: @hajush
> ___
> OSList mailing list
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Re: [OSList] OST encourages avoidance of conflict

[Harold Shinsato via OSList]

Daniel,

Interesting concern. I think I remember hearing this from a well 
respected management guru as a critique of Open Space. I can't help but 
wonder the following:


- How well do individual adults resolve conflicts when an authority 
figure forces them?
- How well do conflicting peoples or tribal communities resolve 
conflicts when they are forcibly held together by an imperial force 
(think Rome, USSR, pre-partition India, etc etc etc)


If you are dealing with children or developmentally challenged 
individuals - especially those who have violated others rights are are 
in prison - I can imagine there being some value to some level of 
compulsion or coercion here. But even there, it may temporarily resolve 
the fighting and damage, but not the children's growth.


If you are dealing with severe human rights being violated in tribal 
scenarios, I can see how that might justify gunboat diplomacy. But I 
can't imagine the tribal system will evolve to respect human rights 
without a huge additional investment from the gunboat diplomats. And it 
is all too likely that such interference may not only cause even bigger 
problems later on, but can also encourage exploitation of the less 
developed tribe/community.


Thanks for asking this question!

    Harold


On 1/30/18 2:07 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote:


I am hearing this pointed criticism from some quarters: That OST 
actually encourages conflict-avoidance via the Law of 2 Feet. In other 
words, people who need to be resolving conflict (or at least 
discussing it) can just avoid the touchy topic... and each other.


Could this actually be true? If not why not?


--
Daniel Mezick
Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
(203) 915 7248. Bio.  Blog. 
 Twitter. 


Book: The Culture Game. 
Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook. 
 




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--
Harold Shinsato
har...@shinsato.com 
http://shinsato.com
twitter: @hajush 
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